Official Countach Value Thread

Thanks Joe.

When I bought my car 5 years ago this week I never expected it to ever go this crazy.

Not that I'm selling mine either, however I'm now willing to do a complete mechanical refresh without worrying about whether or not I'm tossing good money away.

Joe since you have friendly conversations with Dan, can you kindly talk some sense into him before he damages the market for others.

If it was overpriced @$225-250 last year it sure is WAY over priced @$659k this year,and a total turn off to everyone that sees that listing.

Dan seems to be a nice guy, hopefully he can come to his senses before it's too late.

All it takes is one guy, I'd just sure hate to be that ONE guy.

 

Not necessarily, but it is right that currently tomorrow's prices are being paid, to say it optimistically. Thus, I said that it was a good but expensive move to acquire 1120066. Expensive today - if not compared to a 300SL or SV - but reasonable in the long run.

I don't think that we can compare the LP400 situation to the situation concerning other variants of the Countach. Probably the first LP400 S Series One cars (those with the SW gauges and the LP400 steering wheel) are somehow comparable, but the later cars simply are not as rare and historically significant. Nice cars they are all, and I'd really like to own a carb'd QV, but their owners should enjoy their - let's say - 5000S or Anniversario, and not dream of a 1.000 k$ sale.

Enough said from my side, now I will follow the discussion quietly and see what the future brings.

 

No, your voice of reason is always appreciated!

 

Leo, I fear you overestimate my not inconsiderable influence!

 

79 *could* have the 917 floating rotors, not a grey market car (not that it matters at this point), a terrific 85mph speedo, and considered to be a little lighter.

Roy your 83 is sharp. The Ruf wheels are fairly pricey.

 

Yes, several people have told me the RUF wheels are valuable. But they go with the car..don't have the original wheels that came with the car in 1983.

 

Supply and demand is always a factor in a market like this of course. I understand the cars are bought and sold on a world wide scale but with that said I have often wondered how many cars are actually in the US today. No one can say for certain but with all the knowledge on this thread I would like to here some thoughts. My guess would be 200-250 cars. Am I way off ????

 

I think the asking prices will become more realistic when the economy goes turtle, but I'm not sure the actual sold prices will take the hit that you think. During the last great recession I watched about everything go down. Even fire sold. Except Countachs. Maybe Countachs were already depressed before things hit. Borrowed money is what could make the difference, if that is being done, this time IMO.

 

I recall things quite differently.

For example: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143157908-post2830.html

I recall we purchased some Countachs privately at substantial discounts during this period.

A receding tide will lower all ships.

That said, no two corrections/recessions are the same.

 

My observation was from the market as a whole. Agreed on the recession/correction.

 

Inflation in new car prices may limit the drop of some classics if and when?

 

928S4 cars can still be bought today, for around $25K. The big swing between two cars of the same make and model is usually attributable to miles and condition. Roy's car is very low miles and seems to be in exceptional condition. But ones with 'only' 50K miles are only about $25-$30K. Today.

Some people think Roy is crazy, but he is often crazy like a fox. Whoever buys a car for about $100K, puts $300K into it, has a blast with it and then sells it for double is doing something right! And his price on the Porsche, he is just being smart and playing the bubble. Your response already shows that you buy into it and many will start buying 928s because Turbos are going up so high, but imo that is a mistake. The 930 was an icon....many racing successes, on posters on the walls like the Countach (but to a lesser extent), etc. The 928 was always controversial, when new, then all the way to the end. It has polarizing looks. It is extremely expensive to maintain (5x what it takes to maintain an air cooled Porsche of same era). It is a heavy GT car, much like a BMW M6 or Benz couple....recall four out of five 928s had Mercedes Benz automatic transmissions! They were never appreciated by enthusiasts, but they did sell well, just like the Cayenne and Panameras do... mostly bought by successful people that want their success to be noticed, but not really enthusiasts, many not even knowing/caring the hp or specs of their ride! I know a few of these guys. The 928 was this aminal back in seventies and eighties. That is why they will never achieve true collector status like the 930 imo.

But, in a bubble, enthusiasm overtakes logic. I can see a Countach maintaining higher values as it has, and always will be, an icon. Ditto for the 930. Negative for the 928. My advice....buy a 928 if you love them and have a big budget for maintenance, or for a quick flip while the bubble lasts, otherwise, stay away!

Case in point: Just saw a low mileage 924 (the VW/Audi one!) for $19K! The Porsche madness is only second to the Ferrari madness.

 

Two completely seperate & unrelated markets.

 

I see where you might think when I re-read my response that I "bought into it", however, that car was used merely to illustrate my point that the market in general is bubblicious because a car that was never an icon to the overall market (same as the 924) is being lifted up so much just because of a badge that it can. not. sustain. And yes, I know very well that you can still get a GREAT S4 for well less than half his price today.

You may be right on his position on that particular car. My thought is that it is so ridiculously out of touch with even the ever increasing 928 market that it is on par with the silverlambo ad recently posted. The straw that broke the camel's back? I know, 2 different cars entirely, but I see big similarities in those listings.

I always LOVED the 928 and it is an icon to me but I wouldn't be caught dead paying that kind of money for one.

Edit: this is even listed by the seller who asks stupid prices for the GTS. This is MUCH more reasonable for an S4, even if it is still high, IMO:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-928-S4-1987-Porsche-928-S4-Silver-Metallic-RARE-5-Speed-Recent-Service-LOW-MILES-/191197967649?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2c84497521&item=191197967649&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Edit 2: Here is where the market was at a couple of years ago.....this seller still has it at the prebubble price. 88 S4, 64,000 miles, $12k.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=80109&endYear=2015&modelCode1=928&showcaseOwnerId=73649&startYear=1981&makeCode1=POR&searchRadius=0&trim1=928%7CS4&mmt=%5BPOR%5B928%5B928%257CS4%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=337528414&Log=0

 

The S1 is now listed as sold.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/143157498-post4.html

 

In that vein, I have just been privately offered 2 Carb Countachs in the USA that have existed for the past 2 decades completely off the radar with chassis numbers not even listed on the the registry, both cars I was unaware of. They are coming out of the woodwork to seek the higher numbers. 4 Countach sales this past month alone underscores this for me.

 

Ive just been informed that this UK Countach has sold for £301k plus buyer premium: Historics at Brooklands - Specialist Classic and Sports Car Auctioneers - Lamborghini Countach LP5000S

 

Over double the lower estimate of 130k gbp! I am not an expert but the centre console area looks like an earlier LP400s?

 

LP400S S3

 

I watched this Countach LP400S being sold today. Bidding started at £80,000 but soon gathered pace until a top bid of £301,000 won the car. There were 4 interested parties doing the big-ticket bidding, 2 of them dealers but it was eventually knocked down to a private UK buyer who has been after a low mileage, RHD Countach for some time.

Historics at Brooklands - Specialist Classic and Sports Car Auctioneers - Lamborghini Countach LP5000S

£301,000 hammer translates into £337,000 ($566,291) once buyer's premium has been included. This result, along with the sale of the 450-mile Amari Countach means I think we all need to reappraise RHD Countach values as I don't see this market dropping away any time soon, whatever the doubters on this forum might be saying..

 

That is good. As the prices go up that is exactly what I would expect. Just maybe, that will add a little price stability for the rest.

 

?? So an S3 now is fetching over $500K??? Gee the Red Amelia car at $320K was such a bargain then. I dont think an S3 is worth more than a DD. How much a week do these car take on now? $10K a week, $25K a week or $40K/week?

EDIT: I know the 512 BBI are breaking into the $350K and moving up fast..

EDIT 2 : Just read the following post : $566K with premium ?????? Holy mother of God! for an S3??? We sure will go higher, no stopping this train but the signs on the walls are pretty clear that nothing will level off. We are gonna down hard at some point.

 

The numbers are just getting stupid

 

It's great that they are shooting up but it does take the fun out of using it!